The goal of the California Community Service Scholarship Program (CCSSP) is to provide underrepresented minority medical students experience in community-based medicine and the health issues affecting underserved populations, and to encourage these future physicians to establish community-based primary care practices in California.

As a regional program of National Medical Fellowships, Inc., the CCSSP offers scholarships to third- and fourth-year students attending medical schools in California. Scholarships are awarded based on demonstrated commitment to practice in California, interest in community-based primary care, satisfactory academic performance, leadership, and financial need. Students are encouraged to apply for the scholarship program during their second or third year of medical school.

CCSSP Scholars fulfill program requirements by completing a six-week externship, or a 12-week externship or research project, at a community health center designated by the Scholar or, upon the Scholar's request, by NMF. Scholars selected in Spring 2005 are required to complete their six-week externship during the summer of 2005 or the 2005-2006 academic year.

CCSSP Scholars are guided and supervised on site by a designated mentor, a practitioner and/or researcher working in the Scholar's area of interest. Scholars can gain experience with community-based primary care through any activities approved by his/her mentor.

NMF seeks to place CCSSP Scholars with community health centers that are able to provide strong Scholar-mentor relationships and excellent, culturally competent care. NMF offers each externship site a stipend of at least $500 per Scholar placement.

For more information and to request application materials, please contact
Mary Wade, CSSP Interim Program Coordinator, at
(415) 397-2526 or info@nmf-online.org.

CCSSP is made possible by grants from The California Endowment, the San Francisco Foundation and the McKesson Foundation.

NMF, founded in 1946, is committed to changing the face of medicine by providing financial support and other incentives to underrepresented minority medical students and to articulate the vital role minority physicians play in the well being and productivity of our nation.